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Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen


 
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Hedda Gabler
Henrik Ibsen
Hedda Gabler
Hedda Gabler and Mrs. Elvsted
Hedda Gabler and Miss Juliana Tesman
Hedda Gabler Burning the Manuscript
Hedda Gabler in the Final Scene

Symbols

 


 

Manuscript:

  • Symbolizes Lovborgs fall

  • Is extremely important to Lovborg

    • When he loses the manuscript, he feels he has lost a part of him

 

Piano:

  • Symbolizes how Hedda can't get everything that she desires

    • Hedda wanted a new piano but George told her no

      • They couldn't afford it

    • Shows that the Tesmans are limited on their spendings

Themes

Manipulation:

  • Hedda gets George to spend money

  • Hedda mischievously makes Mrs.Elvsted look like a fool for worrying about Lovborg

  • Hedda teased Mrs. Elvsted in high school

  • Hedda encourages Lovborg to commit suicide instead of returning back his manuscript

    • She burns his "lost" manuscript

 

Major Conflicts

  • George doesn't have as much money as Hedda desires

  • Hedda has a social clash with Julia

  • Lovborg competes with George for the professorship

  • Brack and Hedda flirt despite Hedda being married to George

  • Lovborg losing his manuscript

    • Hedda burning it in order to help George

  • Hedda giving Lovborg a pistol

    • Lovborg dying

  • Hedda committing suicide in the final scene

Motifs

  • The pistol:

    • Hedda threatens to shoot Lovborg

    • Hedda gives Lovborg a pistol to shoot himself

      • This would result with him doing it "beautifully"

    • Hedda using a pistol to shoot herself

Setting

  • 1890

  • Norway

Author's Purpose


 

  • To show readers the dangers of manipulation

Significant Quotes

 


 

"My impulsiveness had its consequences, my dear Brack." ~Hedda

 

"Oh courage...oh yes! If only one had that... Then life might be livable, in spite of everything." ~Hedda

 

"I've torn my life to pieces. So I might as well tear up

my life's work as well." ~Lovborg

 

"Eliert Lovborg— listen to me. —Will you not try to— to do it beautifully?" ~Hedda

 

"Well, Hedda— then comes scandal...—of which you are mortally afriad of." ~Brack

 

"Good God! —People don't do such things." ~Brack

 

 

Characters

 


 

Hedda Gabler:

  • Daughter of famous General

  • Lives high class

  • Married to George

    • Is more interested in his money

    • Is intelligent but manipulative

    • Unpredictable and dishonest


 

George Tesman:

  • Intelligent

  • Is a scholar who worrries Lovborg will take his position

  • Cares for his wife, Hedda

 


 

Aunt Julia:

  • Is George's aunt who helped raise him

  • Is very supportive of George

  • Worries that George won't be able to support Hedda

Judge Brack:

  • Is friends with George and Hedda

  • Gives George information about Lovborg's manuscript

  • Has feelings for Hedda


 

Eliert Lovborg:

  • Is very intelligent

  • Is considered to be George's competition

  • Had a past relationship with Hedda

  • Wrote successful manuscript

  • Is a tutor to Mrs. Elvsted's children

 

Mrs.Elvsted:

  • Is passionate

  • Is in love with Lovborg despite her being married with children

  • Goes to the Tesman residence to save Lovborg from his alcoholism

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